In a Roomful of Blues

Roomful of Blues
In a Roomful of Blues
Alligator Records

Roomful of Blues has been delivering its brand of rocking, horn-driven blues for over a half-century. It has been led by the likes of Duke Robillard, Ronnie Earl, and Sugar Ray Norcia. Currently, it is co-led by guitarist Chris Vachon (been with the band for 22 years) and saxophonist Rich Lataille (who has been in the group since 1970). The other members of Roomful on this cd are vocalist Phil Pemberton, drummer Chris Anzalone, bassist John Turner, keyboardist Rusty Scott, saxophonist Alek Razdan, and trumpeter Carl Gerhard.

Roomful of Blues has received so many accolades and awards over the years. This latest recording is sure to add to those. Vachon and others contributed the original songs that dominate this release, although there are two covers of some obscure blues songs. It has been fascinating to see Roomful evolve from a jump blues and boogie-woogie band based in the sounds of T-Bone Walker and Big Joe Turner into a modern urban blues band rooted in the sounds of the Duke recordings of Bobby Bland and Junior Parker, and the Memphis sounds from Stax and Hi Records. They still can dig into the jump blues vein as shown by the arresting cover of an early Doc Pomus recording, "Too Much Boogie." There is also a driving rendition of Buddy Ace's "What Can I Do" with the horns displaying the influence of the great Joe Scott, who arranged so many Duke Records classics.

The album sports fabulous original material including the humorous "Phone Zombies" about folk glued to their smartphones; the rollicking rock and roll of "We'd Have a Love Sublime"; a touch of zydeco for "Have You Heard"; and "Carcinoma Blues," about the real blues dealing with treatment for cancer. Phil Pemberton sings as well as he ever has, and the band is consistently superb in support of the vocals. The horn arrangements are first-rate, and Vachon and the horns have plenty of space to shine. Roomful has produced some excellent music over the years, and this recording may be one of their best.

I received my review copy from Alligator. This will be out on March 13. Here is a promo video for the CD.